Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Panic flooded her system, making her stomach knot and her heart ache. He’d asked a question that would kill her to answer. “I don’t know. I’m trying not to think of the worst-case scenario. I’d rather believe in the three of us.”
“I would, too, but I’m not sure how much longer I can.”
Beck had a point. What if Seth decided he never wanted more children? Could she stay with him without ever experiencing the joy of motherhood or raising a family? Did that mean Beck would leave and find another woman to give him the babies he ached for?
She pressed a hand to her trembling mouth to hold in her tears. No, that was her worst nightmare, the one where she’d given her whole heart and been left standing broken and alone and still so very in love with them.
Could she ever truly be happy without either Beck or Seth? Was this the beginning of their end?
No. She couldn’t lose them.
They love me…as much as I love them.
She knew that with every cell in her body. They’d rescued her from poverty, given her security, found her dad the medical care he’d needed, saved her from a demeaning job flashing her body to men who saw her as a piece of ass, and flown halfway across the country to help scatter her dad’s ashes. They’d helped her see the world and experience new things while lifting her burdens, soothing her worries, and calming her fears. They’d stolen her heart and soul.
Heavenly refused to lose either of them. Somehow, she’d keep them all together.
“I-I don’t know how to fix this. All I know is that I want a child with both of you.” Swiping a tear from her cheek, Heavenly forced the hardest question she’d ever asked off her lips. “How much longer can you wait?”
Pain etched Beck face as he lifted the mug from her hand and cupped her cheeks, forcing her gaze. “I’m not walking out the door tonight, little girl. Hell, I don’t ever want to leave. I can’t imagine giving up what we have, what we could have in the future. I’m sorry I’m rocking the boat, but I’m not getting any younger. I know what I want, and that’s a family with you and Seth. Somehow, someway, we have to help him come to the same conclusion.”
“How much longer?” she asked, voice cracking this time.
“Don’t cry,” Beck whispered as he brushed her tears away with the pads of his thumbs, then pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “I can find a little more patience. If you want to wait until you’re done with school, I understand.”
But that’s only a matter of months.
“What if we can’t persuade him to embrace the future by then?”
A sad smile tugged Beck’s lips as he lifted her onto his lap and cradled her close to his warm chest. “Then you and I will have some serious soul-searching to do.”
“Slow down, little girl,” Beck chided as he and Seth hurried to keep up with Heavenly, who power-walked down the hospital hallway. “Raine and the twins aren’t going anywhere for a couple of days.”
She sent him a self-deprecating smile over her shoulder. “I know, but I can’t wait to see them.”
Like I can’t wait to see our babies. Hopefully. Someday…
Since Seth was beside him, Beck kept that thought to himself. In fact, he was surprised Seth had come with them at all.
When Hammer had called just after six this morning, shouting that he and Liam were fathers, Beck had been sure Seth would have zero interest in visiting Raine and the twins, especially after being out half the night completing River’s case. But after snapping the prized photo and coming home, he’d consented to accompany them.
Beck was thrilled for the happy new family, especially knowing Raine and the babies were healthy and doing fine. But a part of him was jealous as fuck.
“I was half asleep when I stumbled in this morning,” Seth admitted, now freshly showered and holding a cup of coffee as he walked down the hall beside them. “What are the babies’ names again?”
“Ciara and Catronia.” Heavenly turned with a bright smile. “I think they’re Irish or Gaelic. Such pretty, interesting names.”
Seth frowned. “But what if they’re Hammer’s babies?”
“I don’t think that matters to him.” Beck shrugged. I sure as fuck wouldn’t care in Hammer’s shoes.
As the trio rounded the corner, familiar laughter spilled through the waiting room door. Heavenly raced inside. Beck filed in right behind her, grinning when he saw Hammer and Liam disheveled, bleary-eyed, and looking exhausted as fuck but beaming with pride and joy.
“Hey,” Hammer bellowed as he and Liam rushed over and wrapped Beck and Seth in bro-hugs before each kissed Heavenly’s cheek.
“How’s Raine?” their girl asked anxiously.
“Great,” Hammer assured. “Amazing actually.”
Liam beamed. “Our wee lass is a superwoman.”